No Use for User Fees, Say Gen Av Advocates

Opposition to user fees for general aviation aircraft remains on the front burner this year for the industry's advocacy groups. Most were hoping that the power shift in the House of Representatives might create less support for the proposed fees, which have been strongly opposed by the National Business Aviation Association, the National Air Transport Association and the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association. On the other side of the issue are the nation's airlines, which claim general aviation does not pay its share for use of the country's aviation infrastructure. Meanwhile, observers will be watching the FAA reauthorization bill now taking shape; NBAA president Ed Bolen expects the bill to call for user fees.